Kings Theatre, Portsmouth – until 27th May 2023
Reviewed by Sally Lumley
5*****
Mamma Mia, here we go again. I last saw this show over 20 years ago at a casino in Australia, so it was well overdue a rewatch.
For those few who have not come across this global musical success, Mamma Mia tells the story of Donna (Sara Poyzer), and her daughter Sophie’s (Jess Michelmore) quest to find the father she’s never known. When Sophie secretly invites three possible contenders to her wedding on a Greek island paradise, what follows is a hilarious, heartwarming show about love, family and friendship. With iconic ABBA songs by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus providing the score, this show really is the ultimate feel-good musical.
Sara Poyzer is exceptional in the role of Donna. From powerhouse vocals in The Winner Takes It All, to a softer, more vulnerable performance of Slipping Through My Fingers, she leads a cast of strong female performers. When her girl group Donna and the Dynamos reform “for one night only”, Poyzer, Sarah Earnshaw as Tanya, and Nicky Swift as Rosie, absolutely bought the house down with their lycra-clad performance of Super Trouper.
The talented cast deliver wonderful performances throughout, and some fantastic big, choreographed numbers. My favourite I think has to be the moment in Act 1 when the male ensemble perform in wetsuits and flippers! However, the encore alone is worth the ticket price. Donning the classic Abba silver-booted lycra, the cast give the audience exactly what they want with a medley of classic hits that had the whole theatre dancing in their seats.
Mamma Mia is a feel-good juke box musical done to perfection; there’s a reason it’s been bringing down the house around the world night after night for 24 years, and it hasn’t lost it’s sparkle at all. With iconic songs and brilliant performances it is pure escapism, a joyous celebration of friendship, family and of course, the music. I highly recommend you go and taste the sunshine at the Kings before it’s run finishes on the 27th May.